From a new Wendy’s restaurant to an upgraded Temple Gardens Hotel to a new power station, Moose Javians should expect to see big things happen in 2024, the mayor says.
“There’s a lot of things to talk about in Moose Jaw these days … . As we begin 2024, I believe we should all share a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness that we have to live here in Moose Jaw, Canada’s most notorious city,” Mayor Clive Tolley said during the Jan. 15 regular council meeting while giving his New Year’s Address.
“But while we are encouraging others to relocate to our ‘get a life’ city, we are also here enjoying a healthy environment and good quality of life,” he continued. “We’ve always been notoriously friendly, and we continue to be one of the sunniest, safest and most welcoming cities in the world.”
While Moose Jaw is a great place, it is not immune from the increasing cost of living and inflation that is affecting the entire world, Tolley said. Yet, comparatively, it is doing better than other communities.
The municipality is experiencing a growth cycle, with SaskPower expecting its Great Plains Power Station — the largest project in Moose Jaw history — to begin production this spring, he continued. It should be an anchor in the agri-food industrial park, with that area expected to house new businesses this year.
Several companies started new operations in Moose Jaw in 2023 despite the challenges that the pandemic presented during the past few years, Tolley stated, before listing several projects.
This included Donald’s Fine Foods turning the former XL Beef Plant into a sow processing venue; Crumb Rubber Manufacturing opening a venue to turn scrap tires into reusable products; and a Wendy’s franchise beginning construction and planning to open this year near Thatcher Drive and Main Street.
Furthermore, Peepeekisis First Nation purchased the Temple Gardens Hotel and Spa and, through its Sparrow Hawk Developments, is giving the venue a makeover; the New Southern Plains Metis Local 160 plans to reintroduce bison to the former Wild Animal Park, now known as Tatawaw Park; and businessmen plan to build a Hilton Hotel on the former Brunswick Hotel site on River Street to enhance tourism and revitalize the area.
The Moose Jaw Municipal Airport and 15 Wing Airbase plan to expand in the coming years. With the former, the federal government selected SkyAlyne Canada Limited Partnership last year to provide a comprehensive aircrew training program for the military’s air bases for the next 20 years.
“There will be major replacements of facilities at 15 Wing and construction. Plus, the increased use of runways at 15 Wing means our own municipal airport will generate additional revenue and be an ancillary for the operations at 15 Wing,” said Tolley.
“There is great potential for our business community at 15 Wing as they modernize.”
Tolley added that the WHL’s Warriors are celebrating 40 years this year and “have done a wonderful job” of competing for a league championship. He encouraged residents to “take flight” with the team and attend games to show their support.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Jan. 29.
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